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The exterior cladding of the building is an aluminum composite panel by Alucobond, chosen for its economy, clean appearance, and durability against the brackish environmental conditions.

Plaza Construction Corporation faced several unusual challenges. Situated on the forward bulkhead portion of Pier 86, the building required substantial structural additions for the foundation. To complicate matters, all utilities that serve the entire museum facility originate at the visitor center location yet had to be maintained throughout construction.

Construction was completed on June 31, 2000, in time for events centered around the Independence Day weekend. Events at the museum included Operation Sail 2000, Military Salute Week, and the International Naval Review, which saw over 100,000 people at the Intrepid.

By the end of 2001, the visitor center will provide the western touch-down point for a new pedestrian bridge that will cross 12th Avenue as a focus of the Hudson River Park plan, currently under construction.

Suk Design Group, which developed the master plan for the Intrepid Museum, is also designing a 245-person theater, newly expanded dining facilities, and updated interactive exhibits.

Client: Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum
Architect: Suk Design Group LLP
Construction Manager: Plaza Construction Corporation
Structural Engineer: Office of Structural Design
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer: Marino Gerazounis & Jaffe Associates, Inc.

Entrance to the newly opened Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum. Photo: Holly Carson, Suk Design Group Computer rendering of the ticket office and atrium of the new visitor center. Image: Suk Design Group An exterior view, rendered on a computer during design shows the canopies on either end of the new visitor center, indicating entry and exit points. Image: Suk Design Group The fast-paced construction had barely begun in January, 2000. Photo: Holly Carson, Suk Design Group Progress in construction by March. Photo: Holly Carson, Suk Design Group Construction nearing completion in May. Photo: Holly Carson, Suk Design Group During construction, the metal gussets at the roof's edge preview the shape of the parapet profile. Photo: Holly Carson, Suk Design Group The staircase will also be used for 24-hour access to the future pedestrian bridge over the West Side Highway. Photo: Holly Carson, Suk Design Group   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.